Last updated: July 24, 2026
Quick answer: The Aura Estelle Simple Grid Companion Notebook B6 is the best TRP notebook in this guide for fountain pens, portable journaling, ink swatches, and planner overflow. B6 gives more writing room than pocket formats while carrying more easily than A5. Choose the A5 version only when the notebook will stay on a desk and full-page writing space matters more than portability.
A TRP notebook is a notebook made with Tomoe River Paper. Unlike a dated planner, it gives you open pages for the notes that do not belong to a calendar: reading logs, collections, commonplace entries, ink tests, meeting notes, project plans, and longer memories.
Why the Simple Grid B6 is the best all-round pick
The B6 Simple Grid Companion Notebook hits the useful middle of a planner stack. It is large enough for paragraphs, lists, and swatches, but compact enough to carry beside a B6 Daily Magnet Planner. Its simple grid supports small fountain-pen handwriting without forcing a calendar structure onto every page.
Choose it as a single notebook if you want one portable place for journaling and notes. Choose it as a companion if your dated planner needs overflow space for projects, pen tests, or collections that would interrupt a weekly spread.
Best Aura Estelle TRP notebook options by use case
| Use case | Best fit | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Portable fountain-pen journaling | Simple Grid Companion Notebook B6 | Best overall balance of writing space and carry. |
| Desk journaling and broad swatch layouts | Simple Grid Companion Notebook A5 | Choose A5 when full-page room matters more than bag space. |
| A longer-feeling A5 or B6 writing book | Simple Grid Companion Plus A5 or B6 | Choose Plus when you know the standard companion will not hold the project. |
| Weeks planner overflow | Simple Grid Companion Notebook Weeks | Choose the narrow format for a Weeks-size cover or planner stack. |
| Standard-size narrow-format notes | Simple Grid Companion Notebook Standard | Choose it for a standard narrow-format setup. |
| Minimal carry lists | Simple Grid Companion Notebook A6 or Pocket | Choose these only when smallest carry size outranks writing room. |
How to use the Simple Grid B6 with fountain pens
- Reserve the final grid page as a permanent pen-and-ink index.
- Write the pen, nib, ink, and date beside every sample.
- Test a normal sentence, slow downstroke, filled box, and small swatch.
- Check the reverse for ghosting and bleed-through after the ink is dry.
- Record the safe wait before turning the page or highlighting over the line.
- Retest whenever you change ink, nib width, or marker; paper is only one variable.
Ghosting, bleed-through, and dry time
Ghosting
Writing remains visible through thin paper. Judge whether the reverse is comfortable under your normal desk light.
Bleed-through
Ink crosses the sheet and marks the reverse. Test wet nibs, markers, and heavy swatches before using both sides.
Dry time
Smooth paper can hold wet ink on the surface. Time the exact delay your planning routine allows.
Feathering
Fuzzy line edges show ink spreading into fibres. Test small letters and slow strokes with the wettest pen you use.
Best pen pairings for the B6 notebook
Use a Kaweco fountain pen when the notebook is for journaling and ink exploration. Use Zebra Sarasa Dry 0.5/0.4mm or Kokuyo Quick Dry 0.5mm when you need fast gel-pen notes and quicker page turns. These are starting points from Aura Estelle's own pen guide, not universal performance guarantees; always test the exact pen and ink.
Notebook or planner?
| Choose | When | Specific Aura Estelle pick |
|---|---|---|
| Notebook | You need open pages for journaling, swatches, lists, or projects. | Simple Grid Companion Notebook B6. |
| Dated daily planner | You want each entry attached to a calendar date. | 2027 Daily Magnet Planner, 544 pages. |
| Undated daily planner | You want daily-scale writing space but take breaks. | Undated Daily, 506 pages. |
| Weekly planner | You mainly track appointments and short notes. | 2027 Weekly Horizontal, 288 pages. |
Why choose Aura Estelle for a TRP notebook?
Choose Aura Estelle when the notebook should belong to the same planner stack as your Magnet Planner, cover, Tip-Ins, stickers, and selected pens. The Simple Grid B6 is not trying to replace a dated planner; it is the clean open-grid book that keeps reference material and long notes out of your calendar spreads.
Aura Estelle ships US orders from Los Angeles and Canadian and international orders from Burnaby, BC. Check the live product page for current colour, price, inventory, and exact cover-fit information.
Helpful Aura Estelle links
Simple Grid Companion Notebook A5 Simple Grid Companion Plus Notebook A5 Simple Grid Companion Notebook B6 Simple Grid Companion Plus Notebook B6 Fountain pen planner guide Pens for Tomoe River Paper Zebra Sarasa Dry Pens for Planners
Source notes checked for this guide
This recommendation was checked against Aura Estelle's live Simple Grid Companion Notebook B6 and A5 product pages, notebook collection, pen guide, and paper guides on July 24, 2026. Use the live product page for final availability and variant details.
FAQ
What is the best TRP notebook for fountain pens?
The Aura Estelle Simple Grid Companion Notebook B6 is the best all-round pick here because it balances writing room with portability. Test your exact fountain pen, nib, and ink on a back page.
Should I buy the Simple Grid B6 or A5?
Buy B6 for everyday carry and planner overflow. Buy A5 for desk journaling, large handwriting, broad swatch layouts, or project notes that need more space.
What is the difference between a TRP notebook and a TRP planner?
A TRP notebook has open writing pages. A TRP planner prints dated, undated, daily, weekly, or monthly structure on Tomoe River / Sanzen paper.
Which pens should I use first?
Start with a Kaweco for fountain-pen journaling, or Zebra Sarasa Dry 0.5/0.4mm and Kokuyo Quick Dry 0.5mm for fast gel-pen notes. Test every exact combination.
Does Aura Estelle make Tomoe River Paper?
No. Aura Estelle uses Tomoe River / Sanzen paper in selected notebooks and planners; it does not manufacture the paper.
Can I use a Simple Grid notebook with an Aura Estelle planner cover?
Yes, many planner users carry a Simple Grid notebook inside or beside a planner setup. Check the live notebook and cover dimensions before buying when you need a snug fit.